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06-01-2015 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Minutes dated June 1, 2015 Meeting was called to order by President Johnson at 7:00pm at the Auditorium at the Roberta G. Doering School, 68 Main Street, Agawam. Item A. Roll Call ROLL CALL – 11 PRESENT, 0 ABSENT Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, James Cichetti, Council President Christopher Johnson, Gina Letellier, Joseph Mineo, Vice President Dennis Perry, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi and Anthony Suffriti. With eleven councilors present, there was a quorum. Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. President Johnson asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Item C. Citizen’s Speak Time There were two speakers, Lee Matthews and Shelley Borgatti, that spoke in support of the Blight Ordinance; TOR-2015-6. Item D. Minutes 1. Regular Council Meeting – May 18, 2015 Motion to approve the May 18, 2015 Regular City Council meeting minutes was made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. The minutes were approved by a voice vote of: 11 Yes, 0 No. Item E. Declaration from Council President None. Item F. Presentation of Petitions, Memorials & Remonstrances 1. TR-2015-27 - A Resolution authorizing the reservation and appropriation of funds from the Community Preservation Fund (CPA) Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilors Cichetti and Letellier. Council President Johnson mentioned that this was simply setting the funds for the CPA Committee. The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO in favor. 2. TR-2015-28 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Doreen A. Prouty, 891 South Westfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA to the Community Preservation Act Committee to a term expiring April 30, 2018 (City Council) Motion to approve was made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Letellier. The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO in favor. 3. TR-2015-29 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Corinne M. Wingard, 194 Elm Street, Agawam, MA to the Community Preservation Act Committee to a term expiring April 30, 2018 (City Council) Motion to approve made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilors Bitzas and Cichetti. The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO in favor. Council President Johnson thanked both ladies for their continued service to the town. Item 7. Report of Council Committees None. Item 8. Elections None. Item 9. Public Hearings 1. TR-2015-21 (PH-2015-2) - A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2016- 2020 Capital Improvement Program. Public Hearing Date set for June 1, 2015 (Mayor) Referred to Finance Committee) (Tabled 5/18/15) Motion to take the item off the table made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Letellier. Unanimous by voice vote. Motion to approve made by Councilor Mineo and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. Council President Johnson declared the Public Hearing Open. There were no speakers for or against or in name only. Council President Johnson declared the Public Hearing closed. Councilor Mineo provided a report as Chair of the Finance Committee and reminded everyone that this was a “wish list” and nothing would be done with it without first coming before the City Council for a vote. The Finance Committee unanimously voted to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council. Discussion opened with Councilor Rossi stating he would vote on this but is unhappy with the prioritization of the Capital Improvement Plan. There is only $30,000 reserved for sidewalks which is obvious that more is needed to improve the sidewalks in town and more funds were reserved for equipment. More money should be directed toward services rather than equipment within the town. The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO in favor. 2. TR-2015-26 - A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2016 Annual Operating Budget for the Town of Agawam (Mayor) – Set Public Hearing Date and Suggest June 15, 2015 This item is tabled until the public hearing on June 15, 2015. Item 10. Old Business 1. TOR-2015-6 - An Ordinance to manage and control blighted properties facing foreclosure or otherwise (Legislative Committee) (Two Readings Required) Motion to approve the first reading made by Councilors Cavallo and Rheault and seconded by Councilors Mineo and Cichetti. As Chair of the Legislative Committee, Councilor Cichetti provided a report stating that the Code Enforcement Officer had provided pictures of several properties in town that would be first considered a priority. There committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council for passage. Discussion began with Councilors Cavallo and Bitzas expressing their support for this ordinance. Councilor Perry noted that although he is not against this ordinance, the town already has the means to take care of these properties but lack of enforcement is a problem. He questioned whether there ever were any citations issued to these properties? Councilor Letellier stated that this ordinance is more comprehensive. Her concern also is enforcement and would like properties to be reviewed by the Community Relations and/or Legislative Committees to ensure this is applied fairly to all properties and there is no favoritism. The properties should be prioritized. Councilor Rossi also stated that this is not a new process but again, it has never been enforced. Councilor Mineo noted that if you have a complaint, please contact the Code Enforcement Officer and it is his job to address this. Council President Johnson stepped from the Chair to state that the City of Springfield uses existing laws on the books to enforce their blighted properties and that this ordinance does not add much to what already exists. It is a misnomer to think that the blight cannot be cleaned up without passage of this ordinance. Most complaints are based on the sanitary code and should be handled accordingly. Councilor Bitzas agreed but said that this ordinance provided more tools to assist the Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer to enforce the law. Councilor Cichetti provided a little background of why he brought this to the Council after working with the Mayor as well as the Attorney General. The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO in favor of passing the first reading. Item 11. New Business 1. TR-2015-30 - A Resolution requesting the installation of “No Parking” signs along School Street, Corey Street and Alhambra Circle South in designated spots (Councilor Bitzas) Referred to Community Relations Committee, next Agenda. 2. TR-2015-31 - A Resolution appropriating seventy thousand seven hundred and twelve dollars ($70,712.00) from Free Cash for the purchase of a rough mower for the Agawam Municipal Golf Course (Mayor) Referred to the Finance Committee, next Agenda. 3. TO-2015-23 - A Budgetary Transfer of $100,000.00 from Regular Permanent Salary (#12101-51010) to Police Station Feasibility Study (#16610-58937) (Mayor) Referred to the Finance Committee, next Agenda. 4. TO-2015-24 - A Budgetary Transfer of $30,000.00 from Court Time (#12101- 51080) to Police Station Feasibility Study (#16610-58937)(Mayor) Referred to the Finance Committee, next Agenda. 5. TO-2015-25 - An Order Granting or Renewing a Junk Dealer’s PERMIT to John’s Trucking of Agawam, Inc., 415 Silver Street, Agawam, MA 01001 (Clerk) Referred to the Administrative Committee, next Agenda. 6. TO-2015-26 - A Budgetary Transfer of $310.00 from Council Office Supplies (#11113-52230) and $281.00 from Council Printing & Copying (#11112-52280) to Council Equipment, Repair & Maintenance (#11112-52030) (Council) Next Agenda. Item 12. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council. Councilor Rossi mentioned he supplied a report of the findings of the Administrative Committee regarding The Still. He suggested that something be done to discuss those findings i.e. sending a letter from the Mayor regarding the fines or whatever action deemed appropriate. Council President Johnson stated he is working on a resolution to address the findings however the fine is something the Administration must handle. Councilor Calabrese congratulated the Class of 2015 and college graduates as well. The Full Council also sent along congratulations to them as well. Councilor Rheault inquired about the final plans of the new track facility. He wanted to know who was in charge and if there was a Clerk of the Works. He also wanted to see any final plans available. Councilor Letellier wanted to thank the veterans for an incredibly moving Memorial Day Parade ceremony and thanked Richie Girard who reminded us to remember many veterans are losing their lives to suicide and does so much for our veterans. Adjournment. The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded with all in favor of adjourning. The time of adjournment was 7:44pm.